Texas sets waterfowl seasons for 2013-14

Published 11:21 am, Thursday, August 29, 2013

Canvasback bag raised for first time since 1964; possession limits increased

AUSTIN - For the first time in a half century, Texas waterfowlers can take two canvasbacks daily under migratory game bird seasons approved for the 2013-14 by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.

The increase comes with news of healthy waterfowl populations, with all species except pintail and scaup numbering above the long term goals identified in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.

“Overall, waterfowl are doing quite well,” Kevin Kraai, Waterfowl Program Leader for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department told commissioners. “We’re near record levels and in some instances in the glory days for ducks.”

The commission also adopted a staggered split between the North and South Zones to allow for the opportunity of an additional week for those waterfowlers who travel between zones.

In another change to the season framework that should be welcomed by hunters, the possession limits for all migratory game birds is now three times the daily limit. For ducks, including teal during the early Sept. 14-29 season, the possession limit is 18.

The only decrease in bag limit configuration involves scaup, with a reduction to three daily. Following are the adopted season dates and limits:

Bag Limit: 6/day in the aggregate to include no more than 3 wood ducks, 3 scaup, 5 mallards, of which only 2 may be hens, 2 redheads, 2 pintail , 2 canvasback, 1 “dusky duck” (mottled, black or Mexican-like) after the first 5 days. Mergansers: 5/day with no more than 2 hooded merganser. Coots: 15/day